Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and
the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist
resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land
of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway
for the Britishers during the colonial days.It
is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. An
added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train
journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near
Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful
tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation,
gurgling streams and tea gardens.

One
can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to
Coonoor. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea
gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers. For a pleasant stay there are numerous Ooty hotels, cottages, restaurants, service apartments, resorts and guest house available ranging from budget to Luxurious.